New Frontiers in Research Fund (NFRF) - International

Program Summary - Objective

The International stream creates episodic opportunities for Canadian researchers to partner on NFRF-appropriate (high risk/high reward, interdisciplinary), internationally-partnered joint-funded projects.

2026 International Joint Initiative for Research Harnessing Disruptive Technologies to Address Global Challenges

This round’s call aims to harness the potential of disruptive technology to offer novel solutions to global challenges and accelerate progress towards achieving the UN-adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “Disruptive technology” is defined as “an innovation whose application replaces or radically alters systems, processes and/or behaviours to have transformative economic or societal impacts. The impact may be localized or far-reaching. Disruptive technology may include cutting-edge and novel innovations, or the application of an existing innovation in a new context, bringing about substantial change or paradigm shifts.” Note that NFRF funds high-risk, high-reward, interdisciplinary projects.

Participating countries: Åland Islands, Brazil, Canada, Denmark, the Faroe Islands, Finland, Ghana, Greenland, Iceland, Indonesia, Ireland, Namibia, the Netherlands, Norway, Peru, Rwanda, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe

Key specific criteria for this NFRF-I call:

• Interdisciplinary. Projects must involve disciplines from at least two of the following three areas: natural sciences and engineering; social sciences and humanities; and health and life sciences)
• Cross-sectoral. Projects are expected to be co-developed with stakeholders, including end-users of the disruptive technology/solution.
• Minimum of three co-PIs each eligible to be funded by a different participating sponsor. Note that not all the countries listed have separate funders participating in the call, so it may not be simply three different participating countries.

Evaluation criteria: fit-to-program, interdisciplinarity, EDI in research practice strength of project consortium (30%), high risk (25%), high reward (25%), feasibility (20%)

Value + Duration

Up to $1.5 M from NFRF for the Canadian team plus funding at various levels from the other funders to their participants over up to 3 years.

Learn more about the NFRF-I stream »

Eligibility

• You can only participate in one application as a co-PI (or NPI). You can participate as a co-Applicant on multiple applications.
• The eligibility of external co-PIs and co-Applicants must be confirmed by their institution's authorized individual by completing and signing this form. All these signed forms must be included when your proposal is submitted for approval via the Researcher Homepage. This eligibility form must only be completed once at whichever stage (NOI, LOI, Full Application) the co-PI of co-Applicant joins.
• If you have been invited to participate as a co-PI or co-Applicant on someone else’s application and they ask for their institution's form to be completed, this can be accomplished by submitting the proposal draft along with their form via Researcher Homepage.

How to Apply

Application Stages

The NFRF-I 2026 NordForsk-led competition has multiple mandatory stages, using the Convergence portal.

1. Notice of Intent (non-competitive)

• RAS deadline: February 24, 2026 by 4 pm
• RAS will forward to NFRF by March 3, 2026

2. Letter of Intent (competitive)

• RAS deadline: June 2, 2026 by 4 pm
• RAS will forward to NFRF by June 9, 2026

3. Full application (by invitation)

• RAS deadline: October 27, 2026 by 4 pm
• RAS will forward to NFRF by November 3, 2026

Good to Know and NFRF Webinar Links

• The title chosen at the NOI stage can only be changed with special permission from NFRF, which must be well-justified. We recommend crafting a title that nicely describes the proposed project and its intended outcomes.
• You can add team members between application stages, but not remove them without special permission from NFRF, which must be well-justified, so ensure commitment from your team members before adding them to the project.

Information webinars offered by NFRF (they will be recorded and made available, along with the presentation slides, to the research administrators after the session):

NFRF - 2026 International Competition - Information Webinar – English

• Tuesday, February 3rd, 2026, 7:30 AM to 9:30 PM | Mountain Time
• Join Link (requires registration)

NFRF - 2026 International Competition - Information Webinar – French

• Wednesday, February 4th, 2026, 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM | Mountain Time
• Join Link (requires registration)